Do you find Kurt Masur inconsistent?

[Mark]

Odd question? Maybe.

But I'm finding more and more that the handful of Masur recordings I own (Beethoven's and Bruch's symphonies, Tchaikovsky's and Schumman's Piano Concerti, plus a few other bits and pieces dotted about my collection), sound to me as though here is a conductor who can either be right on the money, or else just a little - though nonetheless irritatingly - wide of the mark.

What are your thoughts on Masur's work? Which recordings show him off to his best?

[Brian]

I've only actually heard him twice, once on the Johann Strauss concert and once on PBS Great Performances, in a performance of Brahms' Fourth Symphony that was so lumpy, bland and incoherent we turned it off during the first movement. I hear his Mendelssohn is excellent, but am wary.

[Iago]

Masur is the living embodiment and the definition of "Kapellmeister".
I found every performance of his to be nothing more than a routine reading. This includes performances presented on important dates and occasions.  For instance. just after 9/11/01, he gave a televised performance of Brahms "German Requiem", that was uninispired, poorly played, and evoked nothing in the way of deep emotion (as should have been the case at that time). So I DO NOT find him "inconsistent". I DO find him "consistently" bad.
He should have stayed in politics. He was revered and idolized by German citizens for his stands on freedom in general, and on human rights in particular. By now he certainly would have been a leader in Germany.

[PerfectWagnerite]

I don't think Masur is inconsistent at all. Inconsistent implies sometimes good and sometimes bad. I haven't heard anything remotely resembling good from Masur.

[Que]

Odd question? Maybe.

But I'm finding more and more that the handful of Masur recordings I own (Beethoven's and Bruch's symphonies, Tchaikovsky's and Schumman's Piano Concerti, plus a few other bits and pieces dotted about my collection), sound to me as though here is a conductor who can either be right on the money, or else just a little - though nonetheless irritatingly - wide of the mark.

What are your thoughts on Masur's work? Which recordings show him off to his best?

Masur is the living embodiment and the definition of "Kapellmeister".
I found every performance of his to be nothing more than a routine reading. This includes performances presented on important dates and occasions..... So I DO NOT find him "inconsistent". I DO find him "consistently" bad.

Masur is indeed a Kapellmeister with a narrow field of excellence. The Bruch symphonies Mark mentioned are very nice (that the highest praise I can give for these rather dull pieces.. ), and his Mendelssohn is really superb - a composer I associate with him the most.
There is however little else - I wouldn't dream of buying his LvB for instance - but that's fine by me.

Masur for Mendelssohn and look elsewhere on other composers - life is not always complicated.

Q

[BachQ]

Bruch's symphonies,

There are only 2 recordings of Bruch's Symphony no. 2.

If you have a huge problem with Masur, then go with Gernot Schmalfuss.

In fact, I have a general motto: "When in doubt, go with Gernot Schmalfuss"

[Renfield]

Do I find Kurt Masur inconsistent? Yes!

And I will also definitely agree with the "Kapellmeister" sentiment. I've seen/heard him live last year, and he was truly that: either the orchestra played well, or the orchestra didn't (both occurred). Either way, I felt little other than a sense of homely "stand-by-me-ness" coming from Masur: he didn't conduct. But on the other hand, he is inspiring enough to have his moments, when conducting an orchestra. Just not consistently.

[jochanaan]

I find his recordings with the Leipzig Gewandhaus generally better and more inspired than his ones with the New York Philharmonic.  Maybe he should have stayed a Kapellmeister.